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Original poster

Alternative to bike or scooter?

19 replies

PumpkinKlNG · 08/09/2021 11:05

Is there something other than a scooter or bike that I can use for my 4 year old? She has just started reception but we live quite a walk away from the school and the walk can take forever as she’s so slow when she was younger I use to have her in the buggy and I would walk with my other kids but now the walk is taking double the time, she can’t ride a scooter or a bike (tried both and she just isn’t very good at riding them) long shot but is there anything else I’m not thinking of that we could use just to make us quicker in the mornings! (Can’t use a bike myself with a trailer just incase anyone suggests it as I have other kids who will be walking)

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ChildrenGrowingUpTooFast · 08/09/2021 11:08

I can't think of anything else. Learning to ride a bike will take time. But what scooter are you teaching her to use? A three wheeled micro scooter? She should be able to learn that quickly.

Original poster
PumpkinKlNG · 08/09/2021 11:12

Yes it’s the 3 wheeled one but she doesn’t seem to be able to ride it and she’s had it for a year, she was even slower on it than walking as I attempted it again yesterday but I ended up carrying it the whole way there, we also live somewhere very hilly and it’s a long steep hill down to her school so I would be worried about her riding the scooter or a bike down there as I don’t think it would be very safe.

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Octopuscrazy · 08/09/2021 11:21

I can't think of anything other than a balance bike. She should be able to ride that and easier than regular bike.

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Rollercoaster1920 · 08/09/2021 11:25

What was wrong with the buggy?

I get your point on steep hills, not great for kids on wheeled things. You could try a balance bike (or take the pedals off her bicycle), but get one with a brake and teach her how to use the brake. Worked well for my boy but my daughter didn't like it.

You could put a child seat on a bike. Or use a cargo bike, and cycle slowly with the other walkers.

Original poster
PumpkinKlNG · 08/09/2021 11:28

I wish I could still take the buggy, if I’m being truthful she isn’t ready to come out of it and was very reliant on it but unfortunately I’m worried about bullying or teasing now she’s in school.

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Rollercoaster1920 · 08/09/2021 16:28

Don't worry about bullying at reception for this.

Imicola · 08/09/2021 16:48

How often are you using the scooter? Could you try every weekend until she gets the hang of it? Obviously not an immediate fix...

Original poster
PumpkinKlNG · 08/09/2021 18:11

Tbh I’m more concerned about the roads, we live in London so it’s a lot of main roads, and then down to their school is a massive steep hill so I would be worried about her rolling out into the road. I’ve never seen a reception age child in a buggy so she would definitely stand out, thanks for the links rbe78 I will take a look

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Imicola · 08/09/2021 19:17

One more suggestion...a buggy board? Use the pram to carry bags, and she goes on the buggy board when tired?

bookh · 08/09/2021 20:37

I would say a trike with a parent handle. Dd is three but we zoom along if in a hurry and I can let her pedal if not. I got mine off market place, 20 maybe.

parietal · 08/09/2021 20:56

Agree with buggy board. Use the buggy for bags & shopping.

NannyR · 08/09/2021 21:04

Can you work on getting her to walk a bit faster - maybe give her a watch with a stopwatch and get her to time how fast it takes you to walk from A to B and see if you can do it faster the next day. Or get them to race each other (on quieter roads) - first one to get to the lamppost/tree etc.

Allthingspeaches · 09/09/2021 02:29

I would continue with the buggy for now. If you take her out before you get to school so she's walking a short distance then as the days go by take her out earlier and earlier so she can build up her walking stamina over time rather than all at once. I'd also bring it for pick up because she may be tired and so the walk home (up the hill) will take so much longer.

I wouldn't worry about bullying but I'd mention it to the teacher that it's a temporary thing. It's not like she's in it and lives next door.

ChildrenGrowingUpTooFast · 09/09/2021 16:05

I see, it's steep hill in London. I wouldn't be comfortable with my child going downhill on a scooter either. I wouldn't worry about bullying at reception about this. I think buggy board is a good compromise, but I'll just use the buggy.

Original poster
PumpkinKlNG · 09/09/2021 17:27

Thanks all just updating to say I was totally over thinking it as someone picked their child up from the same class today and put them in a buggy! So she definitely wouldn’t be the only one. Feel silly now 😬

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AutumnVibes · 12/09/2021 07:09

I know this is a bit quirky, but might fit the bill (if you decided against pushchair, though sounds like that might be okay agin.)
I saw a child on one at the park the other day and I thought it looked really fun. It would teach some of the same skills as the balance bike but you have the handle so not the worry about careering into the road. Good luck.
www.uberkids.com/mountain-buggy-unirider-ride-on-mbuunirider-v1-4-ukb/?istCompanyId=37dca0b5-f08f-460a-9189-9153d7108287&istFeedId=b9ff17e0-1a2f-4169-bb0c-0c815ad88867&istItemId=willmmqip&istBid=t&gclid=CjwKCAjwp_GJBhBmEiwALWBQk4SVNK9jmk4pz2v-IY_kILoWW9SKxQiEZvBW2Vqsc6I9GgQLD2NhbBoCY3AQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

HPandTheNeverEndingBedtime · 12/09/2021 07:15

You need a 'scoot' n pull' about £7 fixes to the handle bars of the scooter so you can pull it / hold on to it near traffic.

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